The Voyage of the Arrow

head inside a moment afterward with the news that it was eight bells, a

O'Toole's footsteps overhead, the desire to keep within a warm, snug berth was almost overpowering. I could tell by the shuffling of the second mate's feet that he was

a little to the southward of east, and braced sharp on her ba

ted invariably of three fingers of rum mixed with sugar and water-was perceptible in the crisp air, and he appeared a trifle nervous. As everything was all right, a

e till th' last half-hour. I was just tellin' Mr. Brown here that he wants t' be careful about that wea

eabouts of that leech-line than he did of Captain Kidd's{53} treasure. He

n amazement for the space of half a minute. Then he touched his head significantly with his carroty forefinger, and

ue as soon as we w

to sea before-that

of the finest vessels the firm ever chartered. But it won't take me long to get the hang of these ropes, for they are not so

ut on this voyage as third mate. Then, when I thought of what I had heard

able to hold a mate's berth in a few years, so I cheered him up and told him that he would get along all right. I had had hard knocks and a rough struggle all my life, and I have alway

five minutes, I saw that we were going to have trouble with the canvas, if the vessel wasn't shortened dow

ned a dull, steel blue, while the sun sent fan-shaped beams of l

the whitening combers showed that it was beginnin

ster, which had done duty for the skipper for many a year, and was wrapped in a shawl. Sh

I do hope we will have a terrible storm. I do so want to see something e

for{56} the idea of any one wishing for a gale was exceedingly distasteful to m

d begged Mr. Brown to take her forward, whi

e to those hatches, that they are lashed fast. She will be dry enough a

eavy timbers to lash over the after hatch, and the

e poop again and then joined in the work of lashing the timbers. I noticed

ch, and who looked{57} like an overgrown sculpin-made a re

ellow's broad shoulders so heavily that he st

eye while I cursed him in a low, even tone for being so slow at his work. Then he bent to

ather clew of the mainsail hauled up. Forward, the lower sails were the maintopmast-staysail, foresail, and forest

Brown, the skipper, and

rd to keep the dishes from slipping to leeward, and the young girl appeared to enjoy this novelty. I couldn't help t

en regarded his third mate a little sourly. However, he said nothing disagreeable and, after finishing his coffee, contented

canvas, told us plainly that something was wrong on deck. Captain Crojack jumped from his chair, letting the di

main and mizzen topsails, which O'Toole had let go by the run, were t

aintopmast-stay-sail, Mr. Gore, quick!" he yelled again as I c

, he and a dozen men sprang into the main rigg

r he could lend a hand, for, as he was stout and active,

it, so by the time the main and mizzen upper topsails were snug,

realized, and the flying{60} drift and spray gave the thi

ore two bells, while the skipper s

a little frightened, but was apparently enjoying the ship's plunges in spite of it. By the present outlook of

did. I fancied that he did it for appearances,

if he can help it, for he never is sure of how long it will

p even if he is stood on his

unava

IN THE DOOR OF THE

is entirely different from a comfortable 'tween decks of a passenger ship. Every plank and timber is groaning with the

er that makes a great noise. As for me, I was asleep almost as soon as I had stretched out in my bunk, but almost instantly afterward I was awakened by a